Dorothy Ruth Wendler

Dorothy Wendler passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026, at the age of 88. Born in 1938 near Black Lake, Washington, she grew up during the end of the Great Depression and World War II, learning the lifelong values of frugality and integrity. Her childhood was filled with rich memories of family piano sing-a-longs, sleeping head-to-toe with siblings, making butter from shortening, and collecting pennies for the war effort.

Dorothy was an excellent student, graduating as the Salutatorian of Olympia High School in 1956. During her senior year, she was also voted Black Lake Fire Queen, began working as a bookkeeper at Selden's Furniture, and met her future husband, John Wendler.

The couple married in 1959 and built a home in Rainier, where they raised their three children. Dorothy was deeply involved in her community and her children's education, serving as a member of the Rainier School Board, a volunteer teacher's aide, and a classroom room-mother. Once her children graduated, she re-entered the workforce and eventually became a manager in the Buildings and Grounds Division of the State of Washington.

In their later years, Dorothy and John shared a love for travel, embarking on more than two dozen cruises to Europe. She is survived by her husband, John; her three children, Jack, Pam, and Sheila; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and friends.